Hot off the Press

What time does the newspaper finish?” asks Chris Daez, Fully Booked’s PR manager, who, I later find out, is a most ideal dining companion. I tell her that a newspaper’s main section usually starts printing by early evening, but should at any moment a more urgent story materialize, printing may stop. “Then we stop the presses,” I say. The conversation is inspired by where we are: Press Café by Fully Booked in Power Plant Mall, which has been redesigned and integrated seamlessly with the bookstore.

I ask her how a name like Press was not yet taken — because all the good ones always are — and she tells me Fully Booked’s café has been called Press for years, but it’s only now, with its dramatic redesign, that it’s finally getting the attention it deserves. Formerly dark and dreary, the café is now less like an afterthought and more of a centerpiece to the bookstore’s collection.

Of course, Press is book-themed and highly conducive to getting some reading done. It’s the kind of place where you can hang out and not overstay your welcome, also because you’d actually want to keep on ordering instead of nursing a single cup of coffee the whole time.

Its menu is a good read as well. See entry for Press’ Fish N’ Chips, which says, “George Orwell considered this the dish that ‘averted the revolution.’”

They have choose-your-own adventure pancakes, where you can pair your stack with your choice of toppings — banana Nutella, peanut butter and cacao, chocolate chip, or all of the above. 

Sandwiches are a special interest. The Merlin, named after the legendary wizard in Arthurian literature, has a 1/4 all-beef patty with mustard, cheddar cheese, onion rings and tomatoes; while The Jabberwocky, named after the Red Queen’s champion, is a massive beast of a burger that dares you to YOLO. Servings are for sharing, but if you may also opt for a Kids’ Menu of either sliders and potato chips, or chicken tenders and spaghetti. Both come with Lego jelly.

Press also lets you eat cake — huge slices of Choco Hazelnut, Frozen Brazo, Mango Crunch, and Pistachio Sansrival.

Chris recommends the Booklover’s Dip, which she says is for people who like to have one hand free, to either write or hold up a book they’re reading. “It’s such a hassle to have to put the book down, eat, then clean up, pick up the book, then eat again,” she tells me.

I agree. To me, that’s exactly the one upside of the e-book: you can prop it up against a stand and it stays in place. If you accidentally smudge it with chocolate or cheese (two of my favorite things, both available at Press), you can wipe it clean. Books are delicate and therefore more precious. I found the Booklover’s Dip the perfect book companion because it lets me eat while reading.

Press has a whole range of offerings, from starters to salads, soups, pasta, breakfast, filling entrees, sandwiches, a range of drinks and desserts. It’s not just a place for hanging out or reading — you can enjoy a meal here and be satisfied.

Tolkien wrote, “If more of us valued food and cheer above hoarded gold, it would be a much merrier world.”

Fully Booked just got a lot merrier with the arrival of the new and improved Press.

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Press Café is located at 3/F The Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center and 2/F Fully Booked, Promenade Building, Greenhills Shopping Center.